Turkish Warplanes Strike Islamic State Targets In Syria

Turkish fighter jets hit four Islamic State targets within Syria early on July 24, Turkish authorities said.

The air operation hit targets in the Syrian village of Havar across the border from Turkey's Kilis Province, including an IS headquarters site.

NTV said at least three loud explosions could be heard from Kilis.

Turkish authorities said the jets did not violate Syrian airspace.

Meanwhile, 5,000 Turkish antiterror police officers raided more than 100 suspected IS and Kurdish militant group locations in Istanbul and other cities, in an overnight operation supported by helicopters and special forces, local media said.

Police said they had detained 251 people in the nationwide raids.

The air operation comes a day after Turkey agreed to allow the United States to use its Incirlik air base to launch air strikes against the militant group. It also came a day after a cross-border firefight with IS left one militant and one Turkish soldier dead.

Earlier in the week, a suicide bombing claimed by IS killed 32 people in southeastern Turkey, near the Syrian border.

Turkish officials have raised concerns that the bombing was part of a campaign of retaliation for Turkey's recent crackdown on IS operations in the country.

In the last six months, Turkish officials say, more than 500 people suspected of working with IS have been detained.